Things to Do in
Charlotte This Week.
December 28, 2026 to January 3, 2027 is the year's final stretch: the Hornets play three home games at Spectrum Center, the Panthers host the Seahawks in the 2026 home finale, New Year's Eve lights up venues from Carowinds to South End, and Speedway Christmas and Light the Knights both end Sunday night. Here is your guide to what is happening in Charlotte this week.
The week between Christmas and New Year's is Charlotte's coziest stretch of the year, and this one closes 2026 with a full calendar. The Hornets host the Magic on Tuesday, then play a rare New Year's Eve afternoon game against the Spurs before the city's countdown celebrations begin. Saturday opens 2027 with Hornets basketball and WinterFest's final weekend, and Sunday brings the Panthers' last home game of the season plus the final nights of Speedway Christmas and Light the Knights. Whether your New Year's Eve is family fireworks at Carowinds, an Uptown bar crawl, or a quiet dinner in Ballantyne, Charlotte has a way to celebrate.
Monday through Friday.
The Hornets host the Magic on Tuesday and the Spurs in a New Year's Eve matinee on Thursday, while December 31 brings a city full of countdowns: family fireworks at WinterFest in Carowinds, immersive parties at Blume Studios, bar crawls in Uptown and South End, and dinner celebrations in Ballantyne.
Charlotte Hornets vs. Orlando Magic
Spectrum Center, 333 E Trade St, Uptown
The Charlotte Hornets return to Spectrum Center after the Christmas break to host the Orlando Magic on Tuesday night. It is the first home game of the final week of 2026, and a Tuesday tip-off is a low-key way to shake off the holiday haze. Grab dinner at one of the restaurants around the arena before the game, then settle in for Hornets basketball. Tickets through the Hornets' official site and Ticketmaster.
Charlotte Hornets vs. San Antonio Spurs (New Year's Eve Afternoon Game)
Spectrum Center, 333 E Trade St, Uptown
The Hornets host the San Antonio Spurs on New Year's Eve with a rare 1:00 PM matinee start, broadcast on NBA TV. It is the perfect holiday-planning game: basketball in the afternoon, then plenty of time to get ready for the evening's New Year's Eve plans. A family-friendly way to spend part of December 31 in Uptown before the countdown begins.
New Year's Eve at WinterFest, Carowinds
Carowinds, 14523 Carowinds Blvd, Charlotte / Fort Mill line
Carowinds rings in 2027 with a park-wide New Year's Eve celebration inside WinterFest: holiday lights, rides, live entertainment, and a special countdown to midnight with fireworks, plus early-evening countdowns designed for kids. It is the metro's biggest family-friendly way to celebrate New Year's Eve, right on the Charlotte-Fort Mill line. Tickets through the Carowinds official site.
ONCE UPON A TIME: Charlotte New Year's Eve 2027 Immersive Party
Blume Studios, Charlotte
The ONCE UPON A TIME immersive party at Blume Studios turns New Year's Eve into a fairy-tale-themed night with themed rooms, performers, photo moments, and a midnight toast. Produced by SocialytesCLT, it is one of the most creative NYE parties on the Charlotte calendar for anyone who wants something beyond the standard bar crawl. Tickets on Eventbrite.
The Official New Year's Eve Bar Crawl Charlotte
Retro Bar, Charlotte
The Official NYE Bar Crawl kicks off at Retro Bar with drink specials, party favors, and a guided route through several Charlotte venues before the midnight countdown. Hosted by Elevate Crawls with a 21+ crowd, it is a straightforward, social way to see the city's bar scene on the biggest party night of the year. Tickets on Eventbrite.
New Year's Eve Bar Crawl: All Access Party Pass (10+ Venues)
South End, Charlotte
The All Access NYE Party Pass covers 10-plus venues across South End with entry, drink specials, and party favors for one ticket. South End's brewery and bar corridor is at its most festive on New Year's Eve, and the pass lets you hop between venues without paying cover charges all night. A great pick for groups who want to bar-hop into 2027.
Dancing Through the Decades: New Year's Eve at South End Station
The Rose Honky Tonk, South End Station, Charlotte
The Rose Honky Tonk at South End Station hosts a decades-themed New Year's Eve party with live music, dancing, and a champagne toast at midnight. Hosted by Bottoms Up Events, it leans country and honky-tonk with a playful dress-up angle: pick your favorite decade and dance it in. A lively, music-first alternative to the club scene.
New Year's Eve 2027 at C&W Steakhouse
C&W Steakhouse, Ballantyne, Charlotte
C&W Steakhouse in Ballantyne hosts an upscale New Year's Eve celebration with live music, passed hors d'oeuvres, a dessert spread, and a midnight champagne toast. It is the polished, dinner-first option for anyone who wants a refined evening in south Charlotte before the countdown. Reservations through the restaurant.
Jessica Audiffred at Blackbox CLT
Blackbox CLT, Charlotte
Electronic producer Jessica Audiffred brings her bass-heavy set to Blackbox CLT for a New Year's Eve show that runs deep into the night. For fans of dubstep and bass music, it is the loudest way to welcome 2027 in Charlotte. Tickets through the venue.
Saturday & Sunday.
Saturday opens 2027 with the Hornets hosting the Cavaliers at 1:00 PM and WinterFest's final weekend at Carowinds. Sunday is the season's big close: the Panthers host the Seahawks at Bank of America Stadium at 1:00 PM, and Speedway Christmas and Light the Knights both hold their final nights.
Charlotte Hornets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Spectrum Center, 333 E Trade St, Uptown
The Hornets open 2027 with a Saturday afternoon home game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Spectrum Center. A 1:00 PM start makes it an easy family outing to start the new year, with the arena district buzzing before tip-off. It is also a chance to see one of the Eastern Conference's best teams in person. Tickets through the Hornets' official site and Ticketmaster.
WinterFest Final Weekend at Carowinds
Carowinds, 14523 Carowinds Blvd, Charlotte / Fort Mill line
WinterFest wraps its 2026-27 season this weekend at Carowinds, with holiday lights, seasonal shows, ice skating, and rides across the park. It is the last chance of the season for the park's holiday transformation, and weekend evenings are the most atmospheric. Check the Carowinds schedule for final dates and hours.
Carolina Panthers vs. Seattle Seahawks (2026 Season Home Finale)
Bank of America Stadium, 800 S Mint St, Uptown
The Carolina Panthers play their final home game of the 2026 season on Sunday afternoon, hosting the Seattle Seahawks at Bank of America Stadium in a Week 17 matchup on FOX. It is the last chance of the year to experience the full Panthers game-day atmosphere: the Keep Pounding drum, Top Cat, Sir Purr, and tens of thousands of fans in black and blue. Bundle up, grab a pregame bite in Uptown, and send the season out on home turf.
Speedway Christmas: Final Night
Charlotte Motor Speedway, 5555 Concord Pkwy S, Concord NC
Speedway Christmas closes its 2026-27 season on Sunday night at Charlotte Motor Speedway, with the 4-mile drive-through light display, holiday displays, and family activities running 6 to 10 PM. It runs November 20 through January 3, so this is the last evening to drive through one of the Southeast's biggest holiday light shows. Tickets at the speedway's official site.
Light the Knights: Final Night at Truist Field
Truist Field, 324 S Mint St, Uptown
Light the Knights wraps its 28-date run on Sunday night at Truist Field in Uptown, with ice skating, snow tubing, a holiday market, and millions of lights across the ballpark. It has been the centerpiece of Charlotte's Uptown holiday season since November 25, and Sunday is the final chance to skate on the field before the lights come down. Check the official page for final hours.
Charlotte Regional Farmers Market
1801 Yorkmont Rd, Charlotte
The Charlotte Regional Farmers Market runs Wednesday through Sunday year-round, and the first weekend of January is a great time to stock up on winter greens, root vegetables, local honey, and baked goods from regional growers. It is open every day of the holiday weekend except when the market is closed, so check hours before you go. A calm, productive way to start the new year.
Ongoing & recurring.
Speedway Christmas
Charlotte Motor Speedway, 5555 Concord Pkwy S, Concord NC
Runs November 20 through January 3: a 4-mile drive-through holiday light display with themed displays, a Christmas village, and family activities, open 6-10 PM (closed Christmas Eve). Final night is Sunday, January 3.
Light the Knights
Truist Field, 324 S Mint St, Uptown
Runs November 25 through January 3: ice skating, snow tubing, a holiday market, and millions of lights across the ballpark. Final night is Sunday, January 3.
WinterFest at Carowinds
Carowinds, 14523 Carowinds Blvd, Charlotte / Fort Mill line
Select dates through early January: holiday lights, seasonal shows, ice skating, and rides, with the New Year's Eve celebration on December 31 and the final weekend January 2-3.
Charlotte Regional Farmers Market
1801 Yorkmont Rd, Charlotte
Open Wednesday through Sunday, 8 AM to 5 PM year-round; January brings winter greens, root vegetables, local honey, and baked goods from regional growers.
Don't miss these.
Panthers vs. Seahawks, the 2026 Home Finale (Sunday)
The last home game of the season is always special, and a Week 17 matchup against Seattle on January 3 is the final chance to take in the full Bank of America Stadium experience until next fall. Tickets tend to loosen up for late-season games, so it is one of the more affordable Sundays of the year to bring the family.
Hornets NYE Afternoon Game, Then New Year's Eve in Charlotte
The 1:00 PM Spurs game on December 31 is the rare NYE that works for every age: basketball in the afternoon, then dinner and a countdown of your choosing, from the family fireworks at Carowinds to the bar crawls in South End and Uptown. My favorite way to spend the last day of 2026 in Charlotte.
Speedway Christmas and Light the Knights Final Nights (Sunday)
Both of the metro's biggest holiday light experiences end on January 3, so this is the last weekend to see them. If you have been meaning to drive Speedway Christmas or skate at Truist Field all season, do not let the final nights slip past: after Sunday they are gone until next November.
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